CLIENT NEWS: Mitre 10, Z Energy and New World to ‘round up’ for Waikato Women’s Refuge

November 8, 2016

Mitre 10, Z Energy and New World to ‘round up’ for Waikato Women’s Refuge

Three of the Waikato region's biggest retail chains have teamed up with the goal of raising $100,000 for Waikato Women's Refuge during the week of 14 November.

Mitre 10, Z Energy and New World independent retailers from across the Waikato District – 37 stores in total - will ask customers to round up their purchases during the week of 14 November.

All proceeds will go to Waikato Women's Refuge where funds will be distributed to refuges in Thames, Waitomo, Tokoroa and Hamilton.

CEO of Waikato Women's Refuge Roni Albert says, "We are incredibly grateful to these three retail chains for coming on board to help us raise funds ahead of our very busy Christmas and New Year period.

"For the vulnerable women and children that we assist, Christmas is not always a happy time. And unfortunately, it is the busiest time of year for our crisis staff.

"For instance, this past Labour Day three-day weekend we assisted 86 women and their children who required help following NZ Police call-outs related to family violence. Over the upcoming holiday period, unfortunately, we are likely to experience similar numbers of women and children requiring our urgent help to keep them safe."

This is the third time Terry Wilson, owner of Mitre 10 MEGA Hamilton, has participated in a rounding up campaign for Waikato Women's Refuge and he said, "Getting behind this great organisation is always an easy decision for us. Any organisation whose staff work 24/7 to assist 86 women and their children over a busy weekend such as Labour Day just passed is an organisation who deserves our community's support."

Briar Farrah, owner of many of the participating Z Energy stations, said, "Waikato Women's Refuge is doing work that is changing lives for the better and that's something we want to support. They are helping so many of our community's vulnerable women and children to escape family violence and we want to do what we can to help – especially during the holiday season."

The rounding up campaign starts on Monday 14 November and runs through Sunday 20 November at participating Mitre 10, Z Energy and New World stores (see list below).

The community can show their support by simply shopping at these retailers during this time.

Other organisations supporting the Waikato Women's Refuge 'round up for refuge' campaign with in-kind support include PAN Media, MediaWorks, Gallagher Group, HMC Communications.

Z Energy South Waikato is not only participating - the area manager has also extended his generosity by sponsoring the costs of the lapel pins all retailers' staff will wear during the campaign.